Specialties
Art Appreciation
The Art program at OMPH School incorporates children's literature in the art lessons. Stories can be used to inspire a subject, show an art technique or introduce children to an artist. Art classes incorporate the visual arts in a range of subjects, such as Social Studies and Science. Mrs. Jacobs believes that integrating the visual arts into instruction makes the curriculum more meaningful to students, and is like building a bridge to connect art instruction and cultures around the world.
Mrs. Patricia Jacobs, Teacher Grades K-5
My name is Patricia Jacobs. I have been teaching K-5 Art at OMPH School for ten years. Prior to coming to OMPH School, I taught for over 30 years in the Lancaster School District. I have a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education, M.Ed., Reading Specialist certification and Reading Supervisor Certification.I worked as an elementary teacher and a secondary teacher. I was a reading specialist and literacy coach in both developmental and remedial reading programs.
Mr. Cameron Brennan, Teacher Grades 6-8
Hello! I am excited to begin my second year at OMPH School as the Middle School Art Teacher. I have been an artist all my life! I graduated from Saint Vincent College with a BA in Communication and focus in Graphic design. I'm incredibly excited to work with my students so they can all create fantastic artwork using a variety of mediums such as paint, sketch and digital design!
Integrated Technology
All students in grades Kindergarten to Grade 8 have computer class once a week. Kindergarten through grade 2 focuses on mouse skills and getting to know the names of the computer and computer programs. Tux Paint is a popular program that the students can use to draw, type, or create beautiful artwork!
Grades 3 - 5 work on perfecting computer skills like learning the formatting tools in Microsoft Office, searching safely for information on the Internet, coding, and making fun slideshow presentations.
By the time the students reach grades 6 - 8, they are ready to show off the previously learned skills and create meaningful projects. Creating a business, making green screen videos, editing photos, and exploring applications that will prepare them for high school and beyond are part of the curriculum.
Students in grades Kindergarten to 3 are given an iPad to use during the school year. The iPads are loaded with educational apps selected by the teachers. The students also learn how to navigate Seesaw, a program for student engagement where students can “show what they know” using photos, drawings, and videos.
Students in grades 4-8 are given Chromebooks to use throughout the school year. Google Apps for Education provides a suite of tools for writing, slideshows, drawing, and email. Google Classroom is easily accessible for checking and turning in assignments. The convenience of having a computer right at your fingertips has been invaluable!
Mrs. Claire Schneider, Teacher
My name is Claire Schneider and I am the Integrated Technology Teacher for grades K-8. I was born and raised in Bayonne, NJ. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education/Early Childhood from College Misericordia in Dallas, PA. I taught at Saint Joseph’s School in Bayonne before moving to Pennsylvania. I substituted in various schools and was a stay-at-home mom for a few years before I was hired full time at Lebanon Catholic School as the Elementary Computer Teacher and Pre K-12 Technology Coordinator. I am happy to be a part of OMPH School! I am sure Jesus has led me here to help do his work! I hope that I can enlighten the students to all the exciting facets of technology, and instill in them the importance of using technology to create a better world for all of us.
Library
For the younger grades, each Library class starts with a story. We focus on how to take care of books, and how to look for books on the shelves by using a "shelf marker." We learn how to check out books and where to return them, along with what makes a book fiction or nonfiction, and the parts of a book. The older grades read/listen to a chapter book over several weeks, and students are introduced to different genres and the different sections of a library. We review library expectations and how to use a library no matter where you are. We discuss call numbers and how to locate books and reference materials. All students also have free time to just read!
Mrs. Tammy Dreihaup, Teacher
DIOCESE OF HARRISBURG GOLDEN APPLE AWARD WINNER!
The Golden Apple Award symbolizes a teacher’s professional excellence, leadership,
commitment to Catholic values, and devotion to teaching in Catholic schools.
My name is Tammy Dreihaup. I hold a teaching degree in Elementary Education from Alvernia University and Special Education Certification from Kutztown University. I am a graduate of OMPH School, a parent of an OMPH graduate, a lifelong member of OMPH Parish and a volunteer at the OMPH Community Food Bank. For over 20 years, I have taught at OMPH School in various roles. I enjoy welcoming the students into the library every week, and helping them to find the perfect book to read! The best part is when reluctant readers finally find “the book” that they are excited to read and want to read more. In addition to teaching library classes, I am also the instructional support teacher. The part I love most about teaching is that every day is different and I have the privilege of working with students from all grade levels.
Music
Mrs. Rineer teaches note values by having students build musical measures and repeating rhythms using lego bricks with notes of differing values on the bricks. Building with lego bricks is far more fun than using just notes! Students in Middle School are taught about different genres of music such as Classical, Country, Rhythm and Blues and Motown. This all culminates in the 8th grade with a study of music history and watching a musical as a class.
Mrs. Jennifer Rineer
My name is Jennifer Rineer. I am excited to have the opportunity to teach at OMPH School! I hold a degree in music from Elizabethtown College. My family and I belong to Holy Trinity Parish in Columbia. Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to share my love and knowledge of music with your children. Mrs. Rineer holds a B.S. in Music Therapy from Elizabethtown College. When not teaching music, Mrs. Rineer teaches piano lessons and voice lessons. She enjoys gardening and crochet. Mrs. Rineer puts her therapeutic skills teaching general music in grades K-8 by adapting teaching strategies to the way students learn. It has become one of my great joys!
Physical Education
Physical Education classes are held outside on our school campus’ Field of Dreams or in the gym if the weather is inclement. Our Early Education classes learn the “rules” of gym class, locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative movements, sharing, taking turns, and fair play. Elementary students focus on skills development, movement concepts and principles, and the importance of exercise. Middle School students practice responsible personal and social behavior in physical settings to develop an awareness of God in an environment of respect in a manner consistent with Christian teachings. Concepts of speed and agility are fine-tuned.
Spanish
In Kindergarten through 2nd Grade, students learn various nouns in Spanish and focus on how to pronounce the word and write it.
3rd through 5th Grade students start to use the nouns they learned from previous years and begin to compose sentences in Spanish. They also start to focus more on Spanish grammar and their grammar rules. By Middle School, students are reading Spanish passages or questions and answering questions using complete sentences in Spanish.
Mrs. Sheri Kiefer, Teacher
My name is Sheri Kiefer. I received my Bachelor's degree from Alvernia University. My family are members of the OMPH Parish. I have been teaching Spanish classes at OMPH School for the past
six years. I collaborate my teachings with Lancaster Catholic High School, so by the time our students reach 8th Grade, they are given the opportunity to test into Advanced Spanish or Spanish II for their 9th Grade year.